Results 13,561-13,580 of 24,348 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Mullen made a meandering contribution on abortion information and funding.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I was going to use the word "specific". I heard the conversation with former President Robinson this morning. I must say I thought it was a very measured conversation. I must go back and listen to it. I thought I was listening to a different station.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: No.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: One thing that struck me during this morning's interview was the reluctance of former President Robinson to engage in a political discourse out of respect for the Government and the Taoiseach. I thought that was very interesting.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator might agree with me in that regard. I take his point about human rights across the world. The Members of this House, like the members of the Government, should stand up for human rights, regardless of whether we are dealing with the leaders of Russia, China, Japan, England, the United Kingdom or any other country. It is unfortunate that the new leader of the United States has...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am not in any way condoning the fact that it has not been implemented in full. The Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, and in fairness, her predecessor, Kathleen Lynch, have prioritised mental health services. We have as a result seen an increase in the budget for them. There is now a proposal that there be weekend access in 17 mental health areas, with partial cover being provided...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and commend her on the role she is playing in respect of her health promotion portfolio. In the context of this Bill, it is important to focus predominantly on the issue of health promotion. I refer to and agree with the point Senator Colm Burke raised on prescription drug costs and the charge being allocated or ascribed to medical card patients....

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The health of our nation will be well supported by the issue of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015. I hope that Bill will return and will be passed. As a nation, we have a relationship with alcohol that needs to be changed and addressed. There is the issue of the price of alcohol and we all support minimum unit pricing. At least I hope Sinn Féin will support it since they had a...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is an important and historic day in this Chamber as we debate this legislation. I hope the House will not divide on it, notwithstanding the Minister of State's reference to the Department's concerns regarding the Bill. I commend Senator Nash and his Labour Party colleagues on bringing forward the legislation. They got ahead of the Fine Gael LGBT group on this occasion, as we were...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I know she is not. She made a negative contribution on what should be a very positive day. That was disappointing when one considers the monumental amount of change that has been brought forward in recent years, especially by the last Government. We have moved from a time when people were prosecuted and imprisoned to a point when we can celebrate equality. I think today of friends who are...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: My point is that on a day for celebration, Senator Ruane's comments were somewhat negative. I am entitled to my view and to express it here as a Member of the House. The purpose of this Bill is to enhance equality, fairness and justice for those people were been hurt and let down, not just by the State but also by the church and society over a period of time. It is about addressing the...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: This Government and the last Government have been the most progressive ever on the issue of equality. I would challenge anybody on that. The proof is in the legislation we brought forward and the way in which we went about our business. I will not be lectured about what we did and did not do.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We worked hard, as a Government and as Government Members, to bring about change and advance equality. We did not sit quietly by; we worked hard to achieve things. That is why today is important for people like John Lyons, who is no longer in the Oireachtas. This Bill is about our friends, our people and ourselves. It is about those of us who were told we were not equal under the laws of...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The point I am making is that this is a day for celebration. This Government and its predecessor have worked more than any other in the history of the State to bring about equality.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We have brought about change.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: This Bill, in tandem with the changes brought about the previous Government and the current Administration, helps us to come to terms with the past and to recognise and remember those people who were victims of the State. We have had progressive government, which built a platform for an Ireland where people are equal. The contribution Senator Ruane made was overtly negative around blood...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No 1, Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016 - Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 2 p.m., if not previously concluded, by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Government; and No. 2, statements on...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 18 Senators who contributed on the Order of Business. I am pleased to inform the House, particularly Senators Kevin Humphreys and Catherine Ardagh, that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, will come to the House on 15 February.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am not sure whether he will come by bus, plane, car, bicycle or on foot but he is coming to the House anyway.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Leader does listen to Members of this House -----